GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Zero , n.; pl. Zeros  or Zeroes. [F. zéro, from Ar. çafrun, çifrun, empty, a cipher. Cf. Cipher.]
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   (Arith.) A cipher; nothing; naught.
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   The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a thermometer, commences.
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   ☞ Zero in the Centigrade, or Celsius thermometer, and in the Réaumur thermometer, is at the point at which water congeals. The zero of the Fahrenheit thermometer is fixed at the point at which the mercury stands when immersed in a mixture of snow and common salt. In Wedgwood's pyrometer, the zero corresponds with 1077° on the Fahrenheit scale. See Illust. of Thermometer.
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   Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero.
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   Absolute zero. See under Absolute. -- Zero method (Physics), a method of comparing, or measuring, forces, electric currents, etc., by so opposing them that the pointer of an indicating apparatus, or the needle of a galvanometer, remains at, or is brought to, zero, as contrasted with methods in which the deflection is observed directly; -- called also null method. -- Zero point, the point indicating zero, or the commencement of a scale or reckoning.
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